Vending machine for dispensing cylindrical Articles

ABSTRACT

A vending machine having increased capacity and that efficiently dispenses cylindrical articles is provided. The vending machine includes a storage section for cylindrical articles which alleviates the force created when storing articles in conventional vertical columns or stacks. The storage section is provided with a plurality of vertically extending saw-tooth column walls perpendicularly mounted on a back board which form a plurality of column or stack areas. The configuration of the stack area continuously shifts the forces generated by the weight of the articles to lessen the force being applied to the lowest most article. In this manner, jamming of a dispensing section can be eliminated.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The present disclosure relates generally to vending machines, and more particularly, to a vending machine for dispensing cylindrical articles.

2. Description of the Related Art

Vending machines are commonly utilized in dispensing a wide range of products, including canned and bottled beverages, edible food items, and other consumer products. For use in connection with dispensing canned and bottled beverage products, there is typically employed either a vend rotor or oscillator which is driven by a vend motor to sequentially dispense the beverage containers. In the case of the rotor, this arrangement generally takes the form of a cradle which initially receives one or more of the beverage products to be dispensed. Such cradles are typically semi-cylindrical in shape and mounted for rotation about a fore-to-aft extending axis under a column or stack of stored products. As the cradle rotates, the product(s) carried therein is dispensed. Typically, the cradle will be compartmentalized such that two or more fore-to-aft spaced products can be supported at any given time, with each product being sequentially dropped from the cradle as the cradle performs a complete 360 degree rotation, whereupon the cradle receives one or more additional products for dispensing. Known oscillator-type dispensing arrangements work on a generally similar principal, except that the corresponding product support or retention structure is driven to oscillate back and forth through a predetermined angle for dispensing sequential containers from a stack.

Typically, a vending machine includes a plurality of vertical storage columns or stacks for storing articles therein. Referring to FIG. 1A, a single vertical storage column 10 is illustrated. A plurality of the cylindrical articles 12 are stacked upon each other to be dispensed at a lower portion 14 of the column by a motor 16 or the like.

To increase capacity of the vending machine without significantly increasing costs, storage columns have been adapted to hold multiple columns of articles using only one motor 16 as shown in FIG. 1B. However, the increased volume of articles create a large amount of pressure at the point 18 where the articles feed into the dispensing section. If two articles enter this area at the same time, the vending machine will jam and be rendered inoperable until the machine is opened and the jam cleared. Additionally, if a single articles does not enter the dispensing article at the proper angle, the cradle will crush the article 12 due to the force of the motor and the thin shell of current beverage containers.

In another attempt to increase the capacity of the vending machine, some vending machines, such as cold drink vending machines, in which cylindrically shaped articles 12 and in particular, cold drink containers, bottles, and especially cans, employ serpentine racks, as shown in FIG. 1C. The articles fall or roll by the force of gravity toward the bottom of the rack. However, the serpentine racks significantly increase the overall size of the vending machine.

Therefore, a need exists for a vending machine that provides increased capacity for storing articles while overcoming the disadvantages of prior art machines.

SUMMARY

A vending machine having increased capacity and that efficiently dispenses cylindrical articles is provided. The vending machine includes a storage section for cylindrical articles which alleviates the force created when storing articles in conventional vertical columns or stacks. The storage section is provided with a plurality of vertically extending saw-tooth column walls perpendicularly mounted on a back board which form a plurality of column or stack areas. The configuration of the stack area continuously shifts the forces generated by the weight of the articles to lessen the force being applied to the lowest most article. In this manner, jamming of a dispensing section can be eliminated.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a vending machine includes a cabinet frame including top, bottom, side and rear walls that collectively define a central cavity; a storage section positioned in the central cavity, the storage section including a plurality of vertically extending saw-tooth column walls perpendicularly mounted on a back board to define a plurality of stack areas, each of the plurality of stack areas being adapted to receive an associated plurality of product containers; a door having an opening, the door being pivotally mounted to the cabinet frame to enable selective access to the central cavity to permit loading of product containers in the plurality of stack areas; a delivery section arranged below the plurality of stack areas, the delivery section being adapted to conduct a selected one of the plurality of product containers to the opening in the door; and a dispensing system arranged between the plurality of stack areas and the delivery section for dispensing a selected one of the plurality of product containers from an associated stack area.

In another aspect, the plurality of vertically extending saw-tooth column walls and the back board of the storage section are of a unitary construction. In one embodiment, the plurality of vertically extending saw-tooth column walls and the back board are formed from a thermoplastic polymer material.

In a further aspect, the dispensing system includes a frontal support wall having arranged thereon a plurality of vend motor units; and a plurality of cradles that support and deliver product container to the delivery section, the plurality of cradles being arranged behind the frontal support wall and each of plurality of cradles being coupled to an associated vend motor unit.

In another aspect, the vending machine further includes a pedestal for supporting the cabinet frame, wherein the cabinet frame, door, storage section, delivery section and pedestal are formed from a thermoplastic polymer material.

In yet another aspect, each of the plurality of vertically extending saw-tooth column walls of the storage area includes a plurality of teeth having an upper surface configured to facilitate the downward movement of the plurality of product containers. The upper surface of each of the plurality of teeth is configured at a predetermined angle in the range of about 40 degrees to about 50 degrees, and preferably is about 45 degrees.

In a further aspect, each of the plurality of vertically extending saw-tooth column walls includes a plurality of teeth, the plurality of teeth of each column wall face each other, wherein each tooth of a first column wall is offset by a predetermined distance from a corresponding tooth of an adjacent column wall.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent in light of the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1A illustrates a single vertical storage column of a conventional vending machine according to the prior art;

FIG. 1B illustrates a multi-article vertical storage column of a conventional vending machine according to the prior art;

FIG. 1C illustrates a conventional vending machine having a serpentine rack according to the prior art;

FIG. 2A is a front elevational view of a vending machine in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 2B is a perspective exploded view of the vending machine shown in FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3 illustrates an internal structure of the vending machine shown in FIG. 2A in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the internal structure of the vending machine shown in FIG. 2A; and

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the vending machine loaded with articles showing an enlarged detail of a stack area.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described hereinbelow with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail to avoid obscuring the present disclosure in unnecessary detail.

A vending machine having increased capacity and that efficiently dispenses cylindrical articles is provided. The vending machine includes a storage area for cylindrical articles which alleviates the force created when storing articles in conventional vertical columns or stacks.

With reference to FIGS. 2-4, a vending machine 100 includes a cabinet frame 102 having top 104, bottom 106, side 108, 110 and rear walls 112 that collectively define a central cavity 114. A door 116 is pivotally mounted to cabinet frame 102 to selectively enable access to central cavity 114 in order to load various product containers, articles or other commodities into vending machine 100. Door 116 is provided with a locking mechanism 118 to retain door 116 in a closed position so as to prevent pilfering of the commodities from central cavity 114. Door 118 is also provided with an opening 120 to enable a consumer to remove a vended product container or other commodity from vending machine 100. The cabinet frame 102 (including top 104, bottom 106, side 108, 110 and rear walls 112) and door 116 may be formed by injection molding using a thermoplastic polymer such as polycarbonate, polyethylene, polypropylene or the like. By applying such a process and material, the cost to produce such a vending machine in accordance with the present disclosure is reduced in terms of material cost and labor to assemble.

Central cavity 114 includes a storage section 122, a dispensing section 124, and a delivery section 126. Storage section 122 is provided to hold products in escrow until a vending operation is performed. Towards that end, storage section 122 is provided with a plurality of vertically extending column walls 128, 130, 132, 134, 136 perpendicularly mounted on a back board 137 which form a plurality of column or stack areas 138, 140, 142, 144. Stack areas 138-144 are partitioned by walls 130-134 to contain, separate and support a plurality of generally cylindrical articles or containers which may constitute soda cans, bottles, etc..

As further shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, dispensing section 124 is provided with a frontal support wall 146 having arranged thereon a plurality of vend motor units, one of which is indicated at 148. A plurality of cradles 150, that support and deliver product container to a consumer, are arranged behind frontal support wall 146. Each column or stack area 138-144 is provided with an associated cradle 150 that is operated through a respective one of the plurality of vend motor unit 148. Upon selection of a particular product container or other commodity, one of the plurality of vend motor units 148 is activated to rotate a respective cradle 150 causing a product container or article, corresponding to the selected product to emerge from vending machine 100. That is, product container is transported to the delivery section 126 which is exposed to opening 120 in door 116.

Referring to FIG. 3, each of the plurality of vertically extending column walls 128, 130, 132, 134, 136 are of a saw-tooth configuration. For example, wall 128 includes a plurality of teeth 152 along one side of wall 128 since wall 128 is adjacent to side wall 108; column wall 136 is configured in a similar fashion. Column walls 130, 132 and 134 includes teeth 152 along both side of the wall. Each of the plurality of teeth 152 face each other and are offset by a predetermined distance “d”. In other words, each tooth 152 of a first column wall 128 is offset from a corresponding tooth of an adjacent second column wall 130. In this manner, the column walls 128-136 define the column or stack areas 138, 140, 142, 144. It is to be appreciated that predetermined distance “d” may be varied to accommodate different size articles or containers. For example, predetermined distance “d” will be selected to be slightly larger than a diameter of a cylindrical article to be dispensed, e.g., a soda can. Furthermore, an upper surface 153 of each tooth 152 is configured at a predetermined angle to facilitate the movement of articles or containers in a downward direction within the stack area. The predetermined angle of surface 153 is in the range of about 40 degrees to about 50 degrees and, preferably, the predetermined angle of surface 153 is 45 degrees.

In one embodiment, the storage area 122 including the vertically extending column walls 128, 130, 132, 134, 136 and back board 137 are of a unitary construction, i.e., a single piece. The storage area may be formed by injection molding using a thermoplastic polymer such as polycarbonate, polyethylene, polypropylene or the like. By applying such a process and material, the cost to produce such a vending machine in accordance with the present disclosure is reduced in terms of material cost and labor to assemble. Furthermore, the storage area 122 of the present disclosure is more durable and lighter in weight than conventional storage areas which are typically constructed of sheet metal and tend to bend and give with age and/or when the vending machine is jammed. Additionally; a thermoplastic storage area 122 facilitates movement by the articles or containers along the path of each stack area, i.e., the articles or containers slide easier along the thermoplastic surface of the stack area.

Referring to FIG. 5, the vending machine 100 of the present disclosure loaded with articles 12 is illustrated. A portion of stack area 138 is shown in an enlarged detail 154 for clarity. With reference to the enlarged detail 154 of stack area 138, arrows are provided over the articles to illustrate the forces being applied by each of the articles. Starting at article 156, the force is generally to the left as the as article 156 rests upon tooth 152. Article 158 applies a downward force upon article 160, which in turn, article 160 applies a rightward force to article 162. This pattern of forces is repeated throughout the stack area 138. In this manner, the weight of all the articles in the stack area is not applied to the lower most article about to be dispensed, e.g., article 164. The configuration of the stack area continuously shifts the forces generated by the weight of the articles to lessen the force being applied to the lowest most article 164. In this manner, jamming of the dispensing section 124 can be eliminated.

Referring back to FIGS. 2A-B, the cabinet frame 102 is mounted on a pedestal 180. The pedestal 180 includes a base 182, a stand 184 and a support member 186 for mounting the pedestal 180 to the cabinet frame 102. The cabinet frame 102, door 116 and pedestal 180 (in addition to storage area 122) may be formed by injection molding using a thermoplastic polymer such as polycarbonate, polyethylene, polypropylene or the like. By applying such a process and material, the cost to produce such a vending machine in accordance with the present disclosure is reduced in terms of material cost and labor to assemble.

While the disclosure has been shown and described with reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims. 

1. A vending machine comprising: a cabinet frame including top, bottom, side and rear walls that collectively define a central cavity; a storage section positioned in the central cavity, the storage section including a plurality of vertically extending saw-tooth column walls perpendicularly mounted on a back board to define a plurality of stack areas, each of the plurality of stack areas being adapted to receive an associated plurality of product containers; a door having an opening, the door being pivotally mounted to the cabinet frame to enable selective access to the central cavity to permit loading of product containers in the plurality of stack areas; a delivery section arranged below the plurality of stack areas, the delivery section being adapted to conduct a selected one of the plurality of product containers to the opening in the door; and a dispensing system arranged between the plurality of stack areas and the delivery section for dispensing a selected one of the plurality of product containers from an associated stack area.
 2. The vending machine as in claim 1, wherein the plurality of vertically extending saw-tooth column walls and the back board of the storage section are of a unitary construction.
 3. The vending machine as in claim 2, wherein the plurality of vertically extending saw-tooth column walls and the back board are formed from a thermoplastic.
 4. The vending machine as in claim 1, wherein the dispensing system includes: a frontal support wall having arranged thereon a plurality of vend motor units; and a plurality of cradles that support and deliver product container to the delivery section, the plurality of cradles being arranged behind the frontal support wall and each of plurality of cradles being coupled to an associated vend motor unit.
 5. The vending machine as in claim 1, further comprising a pedestal for supporting the cabinet frame, wherein the cabinet frame, door, storage section, delivery section and pedestal are formed from a thermoplastic polymer material.
 6. The vending machine as in claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of vertically extending saw-tooth column walls includes a plurality of teeth having an upper surface configured to facilitate the downward movement of the plurality of product containers.
 7. The vending machine as in claim 6, wherein the upper surface of each of the plurality of teeth is configured at a predetermined angle in the range of about 40 degrees to 50 degrees.
 8. The vending machine as in claim 7, wherein the predetermined angle is 45 degrees.
 9. The vending machine as in claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of vertically extending saw-tooth column walls includes a plurality of teeth, the plurality of teeth of each column wall face each other, wherein each tooth of a first column wall is offset by a predetermined distance from a corresponding tooth of an adjacent column wall.
 10. A vending machine comprising: a cabinet frame including top, bottom, side and rear walls that collectively define a central cavity; a storage section positioned in the central cavity, the storage section including a plurality of vertically extending saw-tooth column walls perpendicularly mounted on a back board to define a plurality of stack areas, each of the plurality of stack areas being adapted to receive an associated plurality of product containers; a door having an opening, the door being pivotally mounted to the cabinet frame to enable selective access to the central cavity to permit loading of product containers in the plurality of stack areas; a delivery section arranged below the plurality of stack areas, the delivery section being adapted to conduct a selected one of the plurality of product containers to the opening in the door; and a dispensing system arranged between the plurality of stack areas and the delivery section for dispensing a selected one of the plurality of product containers from an associated stack area, wherein each of the plurality of vertically extending saw-tooth column walls includes a plurality of teeth having an upper surface configured to facilitate the downward movement of the plurality of product containers, the upper surface of each of the plurality of teeth is configured at a predetermined angle in the range of 40 degrees to 50 degrees, the plurality of teeth of each column wall face each other, wherein each tooth of a first column wall is offset by a predetermined distance from a corresponding tooth of an adjacent second column wall.
 11. The vending machine as in claim 10, wherein the plurality of vertically extending saw-tooth column walls and the back board of the storage section are of a unitary construction.
 12. The vending machine as in claim 11, wherein the plurality of vertically extending saw-tooth column walls and the back board are formed from a thermoplastic polymer material.
 13. The vending machine as in claim 12, further comprising a pedestal for supporting the cabinet frame, wherein the cabinet frame, door, storage section, delivery section and pedestal are formed from a thermoplastic polymer material.
 14. The vending machine as in claim 13, wherein the dispensing system includes: a frontal support wall having arranged thereon a plurality of vend motor units; and a plurality of cradles that support and deliver product container to the delivery section, the plurality of cradles being arranged behind the frontal support wall and each of plurality of cradles being coupled to an associated vend motor unit. 